Born the son of an Atlantean queen and a human lighthouse keeper, Arthur Curry grew to become the bridge between his two peoples. He rose to take his role as the king of Atlantis and became the hero known as Aquaman when the surface world needed him most. For a time, there was peace between the surface world and those from the depths, but soon Arthur's rule as king began to crumble as tensions raised. As such, the hero known as Aquaman seemingly disappeared.
Years later, teenager Jackson Hyde finds himself in the quaint coastal town of Amnesty Bay, following the discovery of newfound abilities and the murder of his family. Here he meets the town's new lighthouse keeper, Arthur, who now lives a peaceful life of self-imposed exile with his wife Mera and daughter Andy.
As Jackson seeks answers, Arthur finds himself having to face his past.
I think Aquaman is neat. Atlantis and its lore however has always been an area I've been too intimidated by to fully explore. As such, I felt introducing this world through the lens of someone like Jackson felt like the perfect way to do it for me. They're a character I've really come to love in recent years, with his relationships with both the "Aquaman family", and his own father, Black Manta, being something I particularly enjoy. So I'm hoping to have some fun in this little corner of the world.
With Jackson, I want to tell a journey of self-discovery and actualization, as he strives to find out more about his family and his heritage and how this will shape him.
The fishing vessel lurched violently as the world’s deadliest crustacian charged across the deck, giving Jackson Hyde a mere few seconds to leap to the side as a crimson claw swung towards him. Recovering from his fall and into a roll, he picked himself up just in time to take a step backwards, narrowly avoid yet another swing, as the creature attempted to backhand him.
It was now that he could finally get a good look at the ship’s attacker. 7’5 tall and built like a tank with a hulking red exoskeleton encapsulating it’s body. One of it’s arms, the one Jackson had been attempting to dodge, ended in what seemed to be a humungous pincer. Disproportionately large in contrast to the rest of the creature’s body, the sight of it’s jagged edges made Jackson’s heart skip a beat.. That wasn’t what scared Jackson the most though. Set within a pair of deep circular sockets in the exoskeleton, were a set of eyes, that whilst bloodshot and filled with rage, were deeply human.
For a moment Jackson found himself freezing up. Fighting against Atlantean soldiers was one thing but he hadn’t expected anything like whatever this sea creature was. There was no way he was ready for this thing. But as his eyes moved across the deck and to the cowering group of fishmen back up against the stern, he solemnly knew that he had no choice.
So he did what he always did when he was nervous. Make a poor joke.
“Okay Lobster Man, I’m scheduled to fight a starfish at 3 so you better make this snappy.”
The creature did not look amused, clenching it’s pincer sharply.
“Snappy. Get it? Because you’re a lob-”
Before he could finish the behemoth had charged forward, seemingly now enraged.
“I am not lobster!” It roared, it’s voice almost alien. “I am King Crab!”
The aforementioned King Crab brought their pincer wildly in an attack, yet once again Jackson was able to simply dodge to the side. That was when he realised; this King Crab may be strong, but they certainly weren’t fast. And he could use that.
Now more confident in his smile, he reached behind his shoulders to the holsters on his back, drawing his waterbarers. Aiming them towards the starboard side, Jackson concentrated. At once, the tattoos that trailed up along his arms quickly began to glow a brilliant blue, as two trails of water slithered up through the air and onto the ship. They connected with the hilt of his weapon, as the giant crab made another swing. This time Jackson ducked downwards, avoiding the swing with ease, before launching himself upwards with a swing of his own. As his arms arched around, the watery tendrils within his waterbearers shifted shape until they resembled that of a pair of medeaval maces.
King Crab staggered backwards as the maces collided with his head in a splash of water. Jackson wasn’t done there though. Upon landing back onto the deck, he made a move once more, darting forward.
His bearers, now taking the form of a pair of schimitars, struck the beast from the left. In response, another swing from King Crab, and in turn, another dodge. Jackson quickly moved around his body and once he was far enough around he kicked out with all might.
The crab toppled forwards and down onto one knee, giving Jackson yet another window.
This time he focused his water onto a single waterbearer, forming it into the shape of a large mallet.
Before the crab could fully recover from the last hit, the mallet was upon him, with the force of it’s impact sending the beast flying across the deck. It crashed messily into the ships’ gunwale, sending wood flying.
Striding over confidently, Jackson strunk the mallet down to a blade.
“My humblest apologies your majesty” He said mockingly as King Crab groaned in pain. “But there’s only one king i follow.”
As if on queue, the surface of the water behind King Crab erupted, as a figure breached the ocean surface. Within seconds they landed on the deck of the ship between the two combatants.
Dressed in a suit of skintight orange and green scalemail, Arthur Curry stood triumpthantly, looking down at the oversized crustacean. Long blonde hair, now dripping wet, flowed down to his shoulder, and a messy beard sat upon the lower half of his face. He was imposing. Like a true king.
“Took your time, old man.” Jackson smiled, stepping forward and greeting his friend with a half hug.
The man merely chuckled in response initially, before finally responding in a deep warm voice. “I figured you could use the workout.”
The two stood above King Crab, looking down at the mess before him.
“One of your usuals?” Jackson asked, looking between them and his mentor.
“Sadly so. Normally King Crab wouldn’t dare engage with a fishing vessel.” Arthur scratched his beard for a moment, as if in thought. “Seems like Atlantis really is dropping all pretences of wanting to keep peace.”
He let out a deep sigh. Jackson knew that if he were to look him in the eye now, he’d see that oh-so familiar look of sadness. His mind struggled to find the right words of comfort, but before he could say anything, their new prisoner stirred once more.
“Traitorrr” It hissed feebly, raising their regular-shaped arm towards the now pensive Athur, before letting out another groan.
Jackson looked between the two, mouth open, unsure of what to say. Arthur merely stood in silence. After what felt lie an eternity, he finally turned away.
1x Laugh
